Infinity Insurance Company v. Wright CA2/4

INTRODUCTION

Appellant Rodney Deshone Wright (Wright) was involved in an automobile accident that resulted in the deaths of two brothers. The brothers’ parents, appellants Kent and Sherrill Hubbard (the Hubbards), filed suit against Wright. At the time of the accident, Wright and his vehicle were insured by respondent Infinity Insurance Company (Infinity). This action stems from a dispute between the parties regarding Infinity’s liability for the multi-million-dollar judgment the Hubbards obtained against Wright in their lawsuit. Infinity filed an action for declaratory relief against Wright and the Hubbards, seeking a judicial determination that it was not obligated to satisfy the Hubbards’ judgment. Wright and the Hubbards filed cross-complaints against Infinity, alleging Infinity’s mishandling of Wright’s defense caused it to unreasonably reject the Hubbards’ settlement proposals. In response, Infinity brought a special motion to strike identical portions of both cross-complaints under our anti- SLAPP statute. (Code Civ. Proc., § 425.16.)1 The trial court granted the motion, and subsequently awarded Infinity its attorney’s fees and costs incurred in bringing the motion to…